The person at the center of this case
Matthew Thomas Pope
Missing Person · Open
30 years waiting · since 1996
Missing Person: Matthew Thomas Pope
Justice for Matthew Thomas Pope — the trail went cold in 1996, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What caused the Pacesetter to sink and why were no distress signals received?
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person
Lead #2Matthew Thomas Pope was wearing a gold wedding ring at time of disappearance—any recovery efforts focus on identifying remains?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any other vessels in the area that witnessed the sinking or could provide details about sea conditions that day?
Matthew Thomas Pope, a 33-year-old fisherman, went missing on January 27, 1996, when the fishing vessel Pacesetter sank approximately 60 miles southeast of St. George Island, Alaska, taking seven crew members with it. Despite decades of investigation, the exact circumstances of the sinking and the fates of all crew members remain unknown. Anyone with information about this maritime disaster or the missing crew is urged to contact the Alaska State Troopers.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Why have no bodies or significant wreckage been recovered from seven missing crew members over three decades?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67277. Missing person: Matthew Thomas Pope.
Last known contact: 1996-01-27 in Dillingham, Dillingham, AK. Circumstances: Matthew was aboard the fishing vessel "Pacesetter" which sank 60 miles southeast of St.
George Island. Also missing is Stanley Eftestad MP67159, Michael Ericson MP67022, Bryon Koesterman MP66818, Stephen Mack MP66970, Elias Pena MP66770, and Richard Anderson MP66995.
Demographics: 33 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 11 in, 165 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel.
Clothing and accessories: Jewelry: Gold wedding ring. Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 960006280 | 1996-01-28.
Timeline of Events
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1996-01-27
Vessel Sinks
Fishing vessel Pacesetter sank 60 miles southeast of St. George Island with Matthew Thomas Pope and six other crew members aboard.
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1996-01-28
Investigation Initiated
Alaska State Troopers began investigation into the sinking and missing persons case.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 27, 1996
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:January 27, 1996
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous